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 Iliya Dzukic |
It didn't take long to discover the attraction.
I rolled up in April during the Western Sydney Grade Matches and found most people were involved in the competition. Club president, Peter Cassettari, introduced me to Iliya Dzukic and I found myself playing lightning chess. My brain didn't work that fast and Iliya quickly won three games in a row. When Nick Vlaar arrived he and I played the rest of the night at a more relaxed pace. Thanks to Peter, Iliya and Nick I was hooked and was keen to come back.
The formula at Rooty Hill favours competition and there is so much opportunity to hone your skills within the club that everybody gets to develop a competitive edge that stands them in good stead during the grade matches, weekenders and other tournaments.
This year, for the first time ever, we had five divisions in the Club Championship, an indication of increasing membership. FM Brian Jones wrested the title from 2003 champion Tony Bouchaaya with five wins and two draws from his seven games. Congratulations, Brian. So tight was the competition in each division that virtually anybody could have beaten anybody else. Indeed, Divisions 2 and 4 were so evenly matched that both had triple dead heats for first.
Competitors came from as far away as Gosford for the Rooty Hill Open. Although the number of visitors was lower this year than last, it was a most successful event with a field of 39 players. The surprise winner was Jim Holland of Baulkham Hills who was playing his first tournament for more than twenty years.
 The U1400 Team Eddie, Rolando and Allan |
We fielded five teams in three grades of the NSWCA Grade Matches and won the U1400 and U1800 divisions and were 3rd in the U1600s. (Click here to see the report). The U1600s may have been unlucky not to have finished higher; they had a slow start but powered home during the second half of the series. The U1400s had a particularly interesting competition with the lead see-sawing throughout and, although Rooty Hill were favoured to win they had to do everything right on the final night to take the prize by just one point.
As in the Grade Matches we had five teams in the Western Suburbs Chess Premiership (U1900, U1600A, U1600B, U1400, U1300) and were successful in two grades, the U1700s and U1300s. Congratulations to all.
We've had good press coverage during the year. The Blacktown Sun, Mt.Druitt-St.Marys Standard and Hills Shire Times have all carried stories about our club. (Read them here.) The Rooty Hill RSL Courier has also given us space for a monthly report. (The Courier can be obtained in the lobby from the first of each month. Be sure to pick up a copy--it's free and keeps you informed about what's happening right across the Rooty Hill RSL Club's spectrum.)
 Robert Ambalong |
The Accumulative Lightning Tournament has faded a little, if only in name. The lightning tournaments are still played as much as ever but the accumulative score has been discontinued.
It's great to welcome two new members to the 2000 Club -- Jim Holland (2077) and Paul Laurance (2001) made it in the December rating list. They join IM Gary Lane 2477, Steve Cassettari 2134, Tony Bouchaaya 2129, FM Brian Jones 2096, FM Lee Jones, 2054 and Adam Grzeslak 2026.
This report would be incomplete without saying thank you to Peter Cassettari for the work he has done in transforming Rooty Hill into the dynamic chess club it is. He always acknowledges the help he gets from so many people, but Peter's imagination and enthusiasm have moulded this club into its present form and provide the power behind its momentum. We're lucky to have him.
--Report: David Evans